Everything you need to know about vehicle inspections
Are you arriving in Luxembourg with your own car or planning to buy one there? It is important to know that there are rules to follow regarding vehicle inspections in Luxembourg.
- What is the purpose of vehicle inspections?
- Is it mandatory for all vehicles?
- When must it be carried out?
- How much does it cost?
Find out everything you need to know about the law on vehicle inspections in Luxembourg.
No technical inspection for cars less than 4 years old
In the Grand Duchy, the first technical inspection must be carried out 4 years after the car was first registered. If your vehicle is new or less than 4 years old, you are not currently affected by this requirement.
After the first technical inspection, it must be renewed after 2 years. The vehicle owner must then renew it every year.
Let's imagine that you have purchased a vehicle that was first registered in 2021:
- The first technical inspection must be carried out in 2025,
- The second in 2027
- Then every year from 2028 onwards.
The older a vehicle is, the more regularly it will need to be inspected to ensure that it still complies with certain standards.
Don't worry, you won't miss the deadlines. Two months before the deadline, the Société Nationale de Contrôle Technique (SNCT) will send you a letter inviting you to make an appointment.
The technical inspection certificate is mandatory
If your vehicle is more than 4 years old, you must provide a valid technical inspection certificate for any registration or insurance application. This applies whether your vehicle was purchased in Luxembourg, imported, or brought with you when you moved.
Mandatory for registration or insurance applications
If you are moving from abroad with a foreign car, remember that you are required to change your license plates and take out Luxembourg car insurance within the first 6 months. To do so, you will need to provide a valid technical inspection certificate.
Validity of technical inspections carried out abroad
Normally, a technical inspection certificate issued in another European country or Switzerland remains valid in Luxembourg. However, be aware that validity periods vary from one country to another, even within the European Union.
For example, in France, the law stipulates a period of two years between each certificate renewal. However, if you import a French vehicle that is more than six years old, the period since the previous technical inspection must be less than one year. Otherwise, you will have to have a new technical inspection carried out in Luxembourg to comply with local laws.
Technical inspection carried out by third parties
Make your life easier with AXA Luxembourg, which takes care of changing your license plates, technical inspections, and car insurance for you.
If you buy a used vehicle from a private seller, remember to ask them for the technical inspection certificate. Otherwise, the authorities will require you to have a new one carried out.
Car dealers usually take care of all the necessary procedures for you. They will provide you with a turnkey vehicle, with license plates installed and the technical inspection completed.
Where can you go to have a technical inspection carried out?
You can have your technical inspection carried out by several approved organizations:
- The Société Nationale de Contrôle Technique (SNCT) in Sandweiler, Wilwerwiltz, or Esch-sur-Alzette;
- DEKRA, in Bertrange (5 km from Luxembourg city center);
- Or choose the SNCT partner garage closest to you.
Remember to make an appointment within 8 weeks of receiving your letter from the SNCT.
Find all the information you need to prepare for your appointment with the SNCT here.
If you want to save yourself the hassle of dealing with the technical inspection, contact our insurance partner AXA Luxembourg to take advantage of their Service Confort. A partner will take care of your vehicle and handle all the paperwork for you at a preferential rate.
How much does a technical inspection cost?
The cost of the technical inspection varies depending on a number of factors, such as the type of vehicle and the location chosen.
Each organization or garage is free to set its own rates. If you choose to have your inspection carried out at SNCT or DEKRA, the cost ranges from €50 to €70. You can check their rates directly on their websites.
Would you like more information about the formalities related to your motor vehicle? Click here.
What happens in the event of non-compliance?
The purpose of the technical inspection is to determine whether a vehicle is technically reliable enough to drive safely. Among other things, the inspection checks that the brakes, lights, seat belts, etc. are working properly.
If a fault is found, you will be issued with a temporary certificate valid for 28 days. This period will allow you to bring the vehicle into compliance and present it for a second inspection. Please ensure you comply with this deadline, otherwise you will be required to have a new comprehensive technical inspection carried out.
Has your vehicle failed the technical inspection? Take advantage of the Autofestival to buy a new car on favorable terms.